Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning and coach John Fox will open their 2013 season at home against the Ravens. / Jack Dempsey, AP

by Lindsay H. Jones, USA TODAY Sports

by Lindsay H. Jones, USA TODAY Sports

DENVER - The Denver Broncos won't have to wait long for a chance to avenge their playoff loss to the Baltimore Ravens.

Peyton Manning and the Broncos will host the defending Super Bowl champions on Thursday, Sept. 5, in the NFL's annual kickoff game. The Ravens upset the Broncos in double overtime on a frigid January day in the divisional playoffs en route to their Super Bowl win.

The Ravens were forced to open on the road because of a conflict with an evening baseball game between the Baltimore Orioles and Chicago White Sox in Baltimore.

"It's a unique situation, Baltimore not being able to open up at home. But they're a great team, and we look forward to playing at home on opening night. That's always an exciting opportunity," Manning said Thursday before accepting an award as Colorado's pro athlete of the year.

As if the playoff rematch alone wasn't enough intrigue - who else can't wait to see Rahim Moore cover Jacoby Jones, and Champ Bailey on Torrey Smith? - Baltimore defensive end Elvis Dumervil will make his Ravens debut in Denver, where he spent the first seven years of his career before his time in Denver abruptly ended with a fax fiasco last month.

"I think you want to try to win every game when the schedule comes out. But, hey, they're a great team, and I think it will be a great game," Manning said.

The nation will get even more Manning in Week 2, when Peyton's Broncos travel to play brother Eli's New York Giants. The brothers have faced each other twice before, with Peyton's Indianapolis Colts winning both games.

"Anytime you play your brother, when I play Peyton in a game, it is special and it is unique," Eli Manning said Thursday. "I cherish those moments, whether before the game, looking across the field during the national anthem and seeing my big brother, seeing him at the coin flip, those are great moments we'll cherish, and hopefully the Giants can get a win for once."